Expansible chamber motor



March 26, 1940. w. H. WINEMAN EXPANSIBLE CHAMBER MOTOR Filed Aug. 24, 1957 Patented Mar. 26, 1940 2,195,207 EXPANSIBLE CHAMBER Moron Wade H. Wineman, Michigan City, Ind., assignor to Sullivan-Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application August 24, 1937, Serial No. 160,64

6 Claims My invention relates to expansible chamber motors, and, more particularly, to expansible chamber motors of the type which is especially adapted for pumping and like purposes.

trative form.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the lower end of the-motor .cylinder and through the v distributing :valve mechanism, on a plane corresponding to the line 22 of Fig. 1.

5' At some oil fields a considerable quantity of oil Fig. 3 is an enlarged, view on a similar plane '5 is available, but the formation pressure is inadetothatof Fig. 2, through the upper end of the quate to raisethe-oil to the surface, and accorddistributing valve mechanism, showing the'disinglysome type of pumping must be employed tributing valve in'a difierent position. to enable recovery of the oil. Pumps located in Referring firstto 1, it may be observed that the well and operated, through a sucker rod line suitable supporting means, of which a fragment 10 extending to the surface, with steam or pneuis shown at 2, carries amotor device 3 which commatically operated, single-acting pumping moprises an upper ,head member 4, a lower head tors, are very advantageous means for pumping member ,5, anda cylinder shell 6 which may be such wells. A common'and successful system emcomposed of one or more sections as desired. The

ploys a group of pumping motors for pumping a cylinder 6 base bore 1 in which a piston 8, is 15 series of reasonably closely adjacent wells, with reclprocab-le; and the piston 8 has a piston rod a central source of operating pressure fluid 'sup- 9 whichis adapted to be connected to a suitable ply, and in such systems a single attendant may pump rod or sucker, rod line. The piston 8 is a be sufficient for the entire group. However, he singleacting one,-and is adapted to be raised obviously cannot be at all the wells at the same by pressure fluid admitted beneath the same and time; and accordingly it is important thatfthe to be moved-downwardly, upon a'reduction in the pumping motors be as nearly completely auto pressure beneath its lower end, by the weight of matic and free from possibility of derangement the pump rod line, its own weight, etc. The lower as possible. -It is, therefore, desirable to avoid cylinder head 5, which is connected to the upper 5 complexity in construction, to have no springs headjlt by a series'of tie rod devices Ill, isprowhich may be subject to, breakage, to avoid the vided with a valve chest and supply and discharge use of small controlling valves for effecting or connection arrangement, generally designated-l2. governing the operation of the main distributing Thiscomprises a motor fluid supply space l3 to valve, and to employ only simple and rugged which fluid is supplied through a supply connec- 30. parts. tion M. It .also comprises an exhaust space I5 It is an object ofthe present invention to prowhich is connected to an exhaust connection [6. vide an improved expansible-chamber motor- It The fluid supply may advantageously be at a presis another object of my invention to provide an sure of two to three hundred pounds per square improved'expansible-chamber motor having iminch, although it will be appreciated thata very proved distributing valve means. It is a further wide range of operating pressure is possible; and object of my invention to provide. an improved the exhaust connection is maintained by suitable expansible-chamber motor having a distributing means, not shown, under a back pressure which, valve of very simple construction and which refor operating pressures of from two to three hulk quires no auxiliary valves whatever for regulatdred pounds, m.ay well be from'fifty' to one hun- 40 ingits mode of operation. It is yet another obdred pounds per square inch, the back pressure 40 ject of my invention to provide an improved used depending upon the operating conditions, pumping motor having an improved distributing and particularly upon depth of the well, the system in which a single valve controls the dual weight of t Suc er red line, etc. A' connection functions of admission and exhaust, and also, I! extends'from a space I8, intermediate spaces with themotor piston, is efiective to provide for 3 and 15,- t0 the lower end of; the bore of the 45 the proper movements thereof with comparatively y e h pp y; Space l3 a the y long dwells in the admission and exhaust posi-. der connected space l8 eb n them. a tions. Other objects and advantages of my invenseptum L the exhaust Space 5 and p e l3 tion will hereinafter more fully appear. have a septu between them- A suitable In the accompanying drawing, in which, for valve-chamber formi Element having a 50 purposes of illustration, one embodiment which p d per p ra su a e, is m unt d in a setheinvention may assume in practice is shown, ries of bores of progressively decreasing sizes, 22,

Fig- 1 is a side elevation of a pumping motor 23, 24, 25, and is provided with shoulders asat in" which my invention is embodied in an illus- 26 adapted to seat. upon supporting surfaces 21,

' v or, preferably, upon intermediate gaskets 28 at space and a space 3d surrounding the lower.

end of the reduced portion 3| of the head member Passage means 35 connects thespace N and the lower end of the bore 32. The bore 32 is connected by ports respectivelynumbered 3B, 31- and 33 with the supply space I3, thecylinderconnected space 18, and the exhaust space l5.

The valve chest member 2| is provided in its uplowed out to reduce its weight.

, portion the port 51.

per endv with an elongated larger bore 39 coaxial with the bore 32 and opening through the upper end of-the valve chest member. An upper head ill is held in any suitable'manner, as by screws i i, in a position to close the upper end of the bore Herein screws 4| also hold, through the head lit, the'member 2| in position. 7

Within the bores 32, 39 there is reciprocable a distributing valve element43 which may desirably be made of relatively light material and hol- This member comprises a lower, suitably ringed or otherwise packed head it, fitting the bore 32, an intermediate, elongated, ringed portion45- also fitting-the bore 32, a narrow annular enlarged portion '46 fitting the bore '39, and an upper, longer, enlarged portion dl also fitting the bore 39. Portions 45 and ll are eachappropriately ringed or otherwise packed. Portions it and are separated by a reduced portion 48, which provides a fluid conducting groove 39 whose function will be more fully explained. Portions A l and 45are also connectedby a reduced portion, this numbered 56: and as a result an annular space 5| is provided for fluid distribution purposes, selectively acting to connect the motor cylinder with the supply and exhaust spaces in the different positions of the distributingvalve. Any suitable means may be provided, if desired, for example, a small stop boss 52, to prevent the possibility that the distributing-valve 43 may stop or bemade sluggish because of completesurfacecontact between its upper end and the inner side of the head All.

The valve chest member ii is provided herein with a conduit 55 extending longitudinally thereof communicating at 56 at its upper end with the very top of the bore 39, while its lower end communicates at 51' with the bore 39 at a point opposite which,'in the raised position of the distributing valve, 43, the groove 4-9 in the latter lies; and in the lower position of the distributing valve it the head ll seals off with its median Another port 58 opens through the wall of the valve chest member 2| at such a point that in the raised position of the valve it may be connected by the groove 19 with the port 52. In the lower position of the distributing valve communication is interrupted between the ports 5? andtt by the lower part of the distributing valve head 471. A vent port 59 communicates with the bore 39 at the lowermost portion or" the latter, and bleeds off any pressure which may leak past the rings in either direction along the valve member 43. Still another port 63 opens into the upper portion of the bore 39, communicating Withthe latter at such a position that it is sealed by the peripheral portion of the head 4'! in the raised position of the valve 43, but communicates freely with. the space in the bore 39 above the top of the valve 43 in the lower position of the valve element 43. A conduit' 64 connects. the port 6!) aviththe cylinder bore 7, at a point, 62, in the latter so located that it is uncovered by the upper end of the downwardly moving piston 8, only approximately as the desired lower limit of the piston stroke is reached. A conduit 64 connects the port 58 with the cylinder bore 1 at a point so located that the upwardly moving piston passes above it only as the piston attains approximately to the desired upper limit of travel.

A suitable breather and protective device 66, which forms the subject matter of my application Serial No. 102,987, is arranged in such positicn as to provide for the adequate cushioning f the piston t in the event of sucker rod line breakage or other mishap which would render the upward movement of'the piston 3: uncontrolled.

It also maintains thepressure above the piston- 3 in the cylinder-bereft at all times during normal moton operation, within a pound or two of atmospheric.

litwiltbe-understood that'thedistributing valve may be equipped with controlling mechanisms of the character shown and described in my applications, Serial No. 102,989,, now'Patent No. 2,156,326 dated May 2, 1939, and Serial No.

102,988, and portions oithe latter mechanism it with the exhaust 11116;. The piston 8 has not yet gotten down far enough for-its upper end to pass below the point 62; In the position of the parts shown-,- it will be appreciated that the lower end of the head l l of the distributing'valve id is subjected to motor backpressure-the pressure in the exhaust line-andthat this is also true of the somewhat larger upper head 41 of the distributing valve 43-; asthe" space within the cylinder bore below the piston Sis connected through the connection 3| and port, fill-with the space in the bore 39- above the head 61. Accordingly, the valve 43 1s occupying its lower position, due to its weight and to the fact that its larger upper end is subjected to-the same pressure as its smaller lower end.

When the piston. 8' passes below the point 62, the space above the head 4 1 in thebore 39 will be connected through port-B l, the connection 6 the cylinder bore 1-, and-'thevalve mechanism 66; with the atmosphere; and accordingly the pressure which has beenacting-upon the upper head ofthe piston it andiholding the. distributing valve. G3 inits lower position will be reduced to atmosphericpressure; and the motor exhaust line pressure, which will continueto act through the space l5, clearance3'3, annular space 34, and

passage means 35, upon the lowcr end of the distributing valve. head 4.4, will, move the dis tributing valve. from the. position of Fig. 2 to the position of Fig. 3. will: cause the. groove 5| to disconnect the cylindenport I! from theexhaust space I5 and connect it to thesupply, space l3,with the resultthat motive fluid will be ad- .mitted beneath the piston8 a'ndstart to raise thelatter. This upward movement of the'distributing valve 43' will also cause the upper head 4'! of the distributing, valve to seal off port 60. It will also cause thegroove 49 to connect the port 58 and the'port 51, and as a result the upper end of the bore 39 will be placed in communicationwith the connection 64, and accordingly,

notwithstanding the fact that communication with the atmosphere through the port-6B, pas-, sage 6i and'the cylinder bore 1' is cut off immediately upon shifting of the valve 43, an atemospheric connection through connection and cylinder bore-1.1 will be provided between i the upper end of the distributing valve a'ndthe 'atmosphere until the top of the upwardly moving motor piston "8- passes above-the point of con- Accordingly any' leakage along the nection 65. head Q1 would be prevented from building up a valve-throwing pressure. I I

It will be appreciated that as the motor pis-' ton 8 begins to move upwardly under the action of the motive fluid admitted to' its lower'end', it

will very quickly close communication between theconnectionfil and the cylinder bore, butthis :is immaterial," as communication between the cylinder bore and thevalve receiving bore 39 has already been interrupted by theraised dis tributing valve '43 As the piston 3 moves a little farther up, ,-its lowerend will pass above the point ot connection 52, and fiuidwillenter, at

' as into the port 51,;and through the passage'55 and port 56, and enterth'e' top of the'valve chest bore39 and act upon the topof the distributing Valve head 41" and force the distributing valve 43 back to the position shown in Fig. 2'. Therei 'upon, with motive fluid supply cut oil? and with x a renewed connection between the cylinder bore, through passage ll, groove l,' and exhaust space it, established with the exhaust line, the motor I piston 8 will start downwardly. -It will be ohits ' above the distributing valve headv 4-1 will be es-' .tablished and maintained throughout most of the downward movement of the motor piston,-

served that in the position shown in Fig. 2, the vport Gil has been uncovered, andvaccordingly a connection between the portion of. thecylinderi bore 1 below the motor piston 8and the space and as the motor cylinder pressure will notbe less than motor back pressure, and as theinotor cylinder pressure will continue to be maintained, I through the connection 61 and pOrt Bl-in the' space above the distributing valve head 47, the latter willbe -maintained in its lower position notwithstanding thefact that the cylinder pressure will be" reduced by the opening of the ex-;

'haustconnection, because equal pressure mate-- riallyabove atmospheric will be ac tingon the larger upper and smaller lower ends of the distributing valve, and there will also be the weight of the valve tending to hold it in its lower position. It'will' be noted, also, that the movement of the distributing valve to' the position shown 75 in Fig. 2 will have interrupted communic'ation'of described.

Vi/"hile there the. connection" '64 with" the" upper end or {the space 39 and, as it were, have sealed the port 58.

j As the motor piston '8 continues its downward movement, the distributing valve 43 will remain inits' position of Fig. 2 until theupper end'of thedownwardly moving piston 8 passes below the-connectionpoint- 62, and thereupon the distributing valve will be again thrown to the position of, Fig. 3, due to the venting through the port 60, connection 6|, and the cylindertbore 1,

of the pressure whichhad been acting on the top of the valvehead 41. I I

The further operation of the motor will be a repetition of the cycle which has been described.

It Willbe noted thatthe structure whichhas been described is very simple; involves no auxiliary valves, either check valves or pilot valves;

'c 'omprise'sparts which may be made large, and strong but yet light; that the porting necessary forthe control of the distributing valve is extremely simple; that a longstroke may be obtained veryeasily and yet the valve may be held positively in" its different positions during the relatively long piston movements; andthat, practically speaking, there is nothing which canget outoi order in the construction which has been is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assunie in practice, it will be understoodithat this 1 form has been shown for purposes of illustration,

and that the invention may bemodifiedand embodied in various other forms without departing irom its-spirit or'theiscope of the appended claims. c :What I claim as new and desire Letters Patent is: v j e In a distributing valve mechanism fora moto secure by tor cylinder, a valve chest, motivefiuid supply, exhaust and cylinder connections leading thereto, said exhaust connection having continuously maintained ,thereina supe'ratmospheric pressure,

a 'v'alve in said chest, throwing means for said valve, including oppositely fac n unequal pressure areas thereon, means for continuously subjecting one of said areas to the pressure in said exhaust connection, means for intermittently subjecting the other of said areasto line pressure, exhaust pressure andflatmospheric" pressure, including conduits connectingsaid cylinder With'said valve chestat points overrun by said valve in ,its movements, and means, including a passage of which at least a part lies in the walls of said valve'chest for connecting one vof said conduits with the end of said valve chest adjacent s'aid lastmentioned pressure area when said valve is-inone of its limiting positions i, 2, In a distributing valve mechanism .for a motor cylinder, a valve chest, motive fluid supply,

exhaust and cylinder connections leading thereto,

said exhaust connection having continuously maintained therein a superatmosphericv pressure, a valve in said chest for; controlling admission to and exhaust from said motor cylinder, throw- "ing means for said valve including oppositely facing, unequal pressure areas thereon,; =means for continuously subjectingtthe smaller of said j areas to the pressure in said exhaustconnection,

means for intermittently subjecting the; larger of said areas to line pressure, exhaust-pressure and atmospheric pressure, including a pair of tar, and means including a passageiormed at conduits connecting said cylinder with said valve chest at points spaced'longitudinally of the lat- 71$v and means ends in the walls of said chamber for connecting maintained therein asuperatmcspheric pressure, I

a valve in said chest for controlling admission to and exhaust from said motor cylinder, throwing means forsaid valve including oppositely facing, unequal pressure areas thereon, means for continucusly subjectingthesnialler of said areas to the pressurein said exhaust connection, means for intermittently subjecting the larger of said areas to line pressure, exhaust pressure and atmospheric pressure, including a pairof conduits connecting said cylinder with said valve chest at points eed longitudinally of the lattena pasl'iaving spaced in the walls of said valve chest for c meeting the end of said valve cl adjacent said last mentioned pressure area with a point in said valve chest between said conduits, and groove on said valve, said groove connectone of said conduits with said passage when said valve is in one oi its limiting positions.

l. In motor, combination, a cylinder haw venting one end thereof, a piston "ocable in said cylinder, a motive fluid sup-- e, an exhaust line having continue] dried: th rein a superatmospheric ca pressuraa valve mechanism for said motor for connecting the other end of the motor cylind alternately to said supply line and to said ex" haust line, said valve mechanism. including a valve and controlling means therefor including mean forming a pressure chamber andnieans inovableiin said chamber and having a pressure 9 ,"lg, when subjected to cylinder working .re. to move said, valve, means [for controlsuch pressure therefrom includi.

th the covered by the piston during-'- eachcomplete cycle of piston movement and having eir otl." r e ds opening into said pressure cham-v ber spaced longitudinally of the latter,

a passage having opposite one or" said cor valve is position.

motor, in combination, a cylinder having reci in cylinder, amotive fluid supply line, an exhaust line having continuously rraintaincd therein superatrnospheric back arts with saidp ssure area when in its, cylinder-supplyconnecting haust connection having continuously having their extremities remote from atmospheric pressure includi ans for venting one end thereon a piston sure, a valve mechanism for-said motor alternately tcsaid'supply line and to said exhaust line, saidvalve mechanism including a valve-and controlling means .there'for 'including means forming a pressure chamber and means movable I in said chamber and having a pressure area acting whensubjected to cylinder working pressure to move said valve, :meansfor controlling the supas; y of such pressure to said area and the venting of such pressure therefrom including a pair of conduits'having their extremities remote from said area opening into'cominunication with the cylinder here at points Widely spaced longitudithe at the end of said chamber adjacent said pressure area, and groovcjon sail valve for connecting oneolsaid conduits with I when said valve'is in its cylinder supply-conuecting position.

6. In a moton in combination, as; 'ner having means forsubstantially'ireely yen end thci l continuously during no .inoto-I operation; a piston reciprocahle. in: said cylinder, and means for alternately supplying operating fluid to. the working end of said motor r linder and connecting the latter with exhaust i A cy inder connections leadingfthereto, said extained therein a superatmospheric back; ure,

a valve member in said chest and throwing Inezns for said valve member. including ooooc-itely facing unequal pressure areas thereon, means for continuously subjecting one of said areas to a presareasin turn tocylindenworking pressure, to d to substa'nt a cylinder exhaust 'pressure;

I conduits con nected at one end to said valve chest-at points Ming, valve chest, motive fluid supply, exhaust and mainspaced longitudinally thereof their other ends opening into ccmmunication with cylinder bore atjpoints Widely spaced: longitudinally of the lettr'but each covered and also uncovered omplete d valve by each'end of the piston during each (2 cycle of piston movement, a groove on s member and passage means extendinglongitudisaid valve member to connect the conduit whose communication with the cylinder then later uncovered by the Working end or tli elpiston during the working-stroke thereof, with said last mentionecl valvethrowing area. a v ADE WINEMAN.

, CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No'. 2,195,207. March 26, 1911.0.

WADE H. WINEMAN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1;, second column, line 60, claim 6, for "then later" read --the later--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of September, A. D. 1914.0.

- Leslie Fra. er I (Seal) Acting Commfssioner of Patents. 

